2021 Landscape #21

 

mini original watercolor  $225.

This on is from Adelaide Road in North Connellsville, PA
I just like the view;  the rolling hills with mow marks and the tree line.

Question of the Day: Do you use photos for reference?

Yes I do.  I travel a lot and often fill my time with heavy sight seeing.  That does not allow time to sit out and paint whatever catches my eye.  In the old days I had a good camera and printed my photos.  I still have shoe boxes full of photos that I can't seem to throw away!

With my next camera I could download onto my computer and the print out what I wanted to use.  Now I simply use my Iphone.  I do not even print photos anymore.  I am not a photographer, waiting for the perfect shot, I am a point and shoot guy.  After all its for reference.  My photos are less then great!  I am a realist painter, that means I am interpreting what I see.  So I am not making things up.  I try to tell you where I saw what I painted.   I also do not do "Plein Air Painting" which means sitting out and painting the view in front of you.  My style does not lend itself to painting outside, plus I am not keen on bugs!  The only time I painted Plein Air was when we took a cruise.  I painted a very small mini every day while on ship.  I also paint outside at my shows, just using my photos for reference.   I do not use any free photo sites off the computer.  I prefer my own photos although I do accept clients photos as long as they personally took the photo and I usually give that person credit.

2021 Landscape #20 - Great Allegheny Passage

 
mini original watercolor $225.

A view from the trail, Great Alleghany Passage,
following the river.  This was a nice shady spot.

2021 Landscape #19 - Great Allegheny Passage

 

SOLD!  $145 (unframed)4x6” mini original watercolor

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 5/26 the price goes to $225.

This is from our bike ride on the Great Allegheny Passage. near Layton, PA.  I thought the bridge tucked among the greenery was interesting and hints of the river.


I am allowed to show my finished commission.  I was asked to say;  "it is a cherished memory of a family farm/barn!"

2021 Landscape #18

 
mini original watercolor $225.

This is a wonderful barn from our drive around Chester Springs PA. (Charlestown Township)  Love the type stone you find in that area.

We are back home and unpacked, laundry done and RV back in its parking space.  Meanwhile, I finished my farm commission and am awaiting permission to show it.  My other commission will be finished this week.  

I am always surprised by the kindness of people.  I simply gave some email painting advice and I receive brushes as a thank you.   Thank you Dave!  Totally unexpected and that's the best gift!

Catch up...

We are trying to take our little RV out a few days each month.  We left Tuesday for  Connellsville, Pa.  The plan was to ride sections of the Great Allegheny Passage.  Wednesday we rode the tandem 46 miles; 23 miles north to West Newton, had lunch then 23 back to camp.  This section was flat but a bit boring, part shade but some full sun.   This is the longest we have ever ridden the tandem!  I was a bit surprised when Linda agreed to go out again.  Thursday we rode 40 miles; 20 miles south to Ohiopyle, lunch and 20 miles back.  Linda is all in now...if we had a whoopie cushion she would be using it!  There will be NO riding tomorrow!!

The views of the river were beautiful and I will have some new mini paintings shortly.

Friday is a rest and read day for Linda and I am working on my commissions then it’s back to reality for us.

2021 Landscape #17

SOLD!  $145 (unframed) 4x6” original watercolor

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 5/15 the price goes to $225.

Daybreak outside of Ephrata, PA

Wednesday we decided to enjoy the day and took the tandem bike to the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail. (PA)   We started in Columbia and road to Shocks Mill RR Bridge where we had to stop because the river was up over the trail.  Way too high to get across!  We had lunch in Marietta and rode a total of 20.5 miles.  Linda has not been on the bike since March, I do not see how she hops on and does 20 miles...  granted we are on a tandem but still, I ride everyday.  Anyway, it is a nice paved trail and we plan to return.  I managed to paint all evening so it was not a total day off.

Today was an eye appointment and pick up frames - not glasses, frames for paintings!  I packed the van for tomorrows show set up in Manheim. 
First show in over a year.  Commissions are coming along nicely.
Saturday you can find me here:

 

2021 Landscape #16

SOLD!  $145 (unframed) 5x5” original watercolor

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 5/12 the price goes to $250.

I am having a good time painting Lancaster County landscapes.  It is great practice and my sky is getting better, plus the light on this barn is really good!

Thank you to all who came out for my Backyard show this past weekend.  The weather was less than pleasant but I still managed to get most of the weekend in.  It was nice to see clients and friends.

I have my first show in 13 months!  
Saturday, May 15th  you can find me outside at:
Heart of Lancaster Spring Show 
held at Roots Market at 705 Greystone Rd, Manheim, PA
Booth #22 *  Rain or Shine! * FREE admission

Question of the Day: What is your work day like?
I am a very disciplined artist.  Painting is both a passion and my job.  I paint all day most days.  But there are days that other things must get done.  My day  today (Monday) went like this...
Up at 5:30am.  A little alone time till Linda gets up!
I start with my devotions.  Next I do some exercises: I stretch,
core exercises, sit ups etc.  I need to keep this older body tuned!  I still do a lot of lifting with my shows.  Then I walk around the house picking up my junk before Linda finds it!  I tend to be a little messy.   I make coffee and have breakfast.

Now at this point if there is no house stuff to do I start painting right away however today was busy...
At 8am I went outside and packed up the tent and panels and all the supplies needed over the weekend.  Organized things for this weekends show.  We went to the grocery store together and  I was painting by noon.  I painted this blog and next I worked on my commission painting till 5pm.  We have dinner together, I did dishes and then my bike ride.  I try to ride every day, it clears my head!  Back in the house by 8pm and back to painting again until about 10pm.   Then bed.  I am asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow!  I rarely have a day without 4 to 10 hours of painting. 

But remember this is a team effort, I just need to paint!
Meanwhile Linda is up between 7 and 8am, drinks the coffee I made and heads right to her desk.  Very very disciplined! I have no idea what she does there...
here is what I was told.  She entered all the sales from the weekend.  Balanced the charges and got a deposit together. Updated the data base of clients.  She has these sheets she designed years ago and fills out for each show with the tent layout/paintings hung, sales per day, Number of clients/ what sold... anything I ever need to know!  that was filled in.  Made a list of prints that need framed tomorrow and a list to pack for the next show.  She updated the website for sold paintings and the schedule. She got a painting ready to frame and another ready to box.  Then put on her wife hat and made a menu for the week and a grocery list... off to the store.  Home to prep dinner (meatloaf, mashed potatoes and fresh red beets - I eat well!)  then back to her desk.  Balanced our accounts, paid a few bills, answered a ton of emails.  Made dinner.  Then out in the garden to pull weeds. Back at her desk to get things organized for tomorrow.   Bed at midnight, asleep at who knows when... she's not a great sleeper!
This is the life of a blessed artist and his helper!

Backyard plans for the weekend

Looking at the weather my plan for Friday is to be open at 10am until it rains, maybe 3??

You may always call 717.627.3383 to confirm.

Backyard sounds easy but its not.  We set up 2 tents with weights and panels.  Planning on wind and rain.  Hung signs, arrows on the sidewalk.

Next is covers and believe it or not, all the paintings need to be boxed and carried outside.  Linda hung everything so we know where it goes in the morning.  Then we took them all down and reboxed them!
9 hours later...  I think we are ready to greet you in the morning!   Fingers crossed the rain holds off.

2021 Landscape #15

 
 6x4” original watercolor   $250.

Important Info: 
My emails are landing in YOUR Trash or Spam folder! Here are instructions on how to fix it.  I cannot fix it on my end.   Every now and then check if I sent you something!!
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Commission update:
#1 is finished and ready to be shipped. 
I think this is my first squirrel...My client rescued him and then returned him back into the wild.

#2 is drawn and approved!  I can start painting. and will share later.
#3 is almost drawn and then I wait for approval

#4...not even started!

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Question of the Day:  Do you do custom (commission) paintings?
YES!   Here's how it works.

1) First go to my website , go under Originals and see a general idea of size and cost. Size is the size of the frame, and it comes to you framed either in walnut or black wood with conservation matting.  Unless you plan to invest in special framing at a frame shop.  But it only saves a tiny bit on my end!

Decide on a budget range.  Originals become an investment!  Price depends  on how much work is involved, a home that I need to paint every brick is a bit more then a home where I paint lines for siding!   I do not ask for anything down, you ok the painting as I go along so I know you are happy and pay when it is finished.

2) You supply the photos and talk to me about what means the most to you so I can understand your thoughts.  I do commissions as a partnership with you.  My goal is to make your vision come to life.  What you want in, what to leave out, what to focus on.  Time of year, time of day...  If you are super interested I send emails often so you can actually watch the progress and you may always come to the studio and watch me paint!

3) I sketch it (free hand) so I get the feel of it, we chat, you ok the sketch 

4) I hand draw on the watercolor paper, you ok the drawing... here is where we make any changes, once I start painting, watercolor stains the paper and you cannot change anything!

Then it is a slow build of washes of color, layering to get the affect I need.

5) you get to title it!

That’s about it.  The biggest thing is your budget and your vision!  I am happy to chat with you about your special painting.

2021 Landscape #14

 
SOLD!   $145 (unframed) 6x4” original watercolor

Available to the 1st person to email
(framing $35 - shipping available at cost)
If unsold by 5/5 the price goes to $225

I am not able to paint a blog everyday this week, I have 4 commissions I need to concentrate on.  Plus we are getting ready for this weekend.  A bit of framing, mow, set up tents... it is only Monday and Linda is already wishing for more hours in our day!  Hope to see you this weekend.

May 7-9:  BACKYARD SHOW at the house - 4 N. Spruce St. Lititz 
Open from 10 to 4 cancelled if raining!  Call if you are not sure.  I will be painting, come visit and check out my paintings and prints.  We are both fully vaccinated!